Top Central America & Mexico Trips & Tours in December 2026

from $2,760

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Beaches & Rainforest

9 Day Itinerary

• Climb a giant kapok tree
• Relax on white sand beaches
• Snorkel and kayak in the Caribbean
• Raft the Pacuare River

Starts / Ends

San Jose / San Jose

Activities

Whitewater Rafting

Activity Level

Easy Active

Enjoy this active and varied 9-day Costa Rica vacation that is suitable for almost any age of traveler. Plunge down the whitewater of the Pacuare River, experience the jungle adventures of Selva Bananito Lodge, and end with a few relaxing days on a Caribbean beach. Snorkeling, kayaking, and rainforest exploration highlight this trip.

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from $1,134

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Portobelo Extension

4 Day Itinerary

• Snorkel in the bay of Portobelo
• Visit Aguas Clara Visitor Center
• Explore Gatun Lake busy waterway
• Visit UNESCO Portobelo Forts

Starts / Ends

Panama City / Panama City

Activity Level

Easy Active

Discover Panama's allure with a day exploring Aguas Clara, San Lorenzo Fort, and Portobelo's historic port. Snorkel along picturesque bays and witness colonial charm, designated a UNESCO Patrimony for Humanity.

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from $4,671

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Luxury Belize Explorer

7 Day Itinerary

• Explore Maya ruins
• Experience luxury
• Snorkel and relax
• Customize your tour

Starts / Ends

Ka'ana Resort / Ka'ana Resort

Activities

Horseback Riding, Rainforest Exploration

Activity Level

Relaxed

Experience Belize's rich Maya history and beautiful beaches on this luxurious 7-day tour. Explore the fascinating Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave and other iconic Maya ruins. Relax on Belize's white sand beaches and snorkel in pristine blue waters.

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from $2,210

SS 25%

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Costa Rica & Panama

Puerto Caldera Roundtrip - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Star Clipper

• Discover Quepos's authentic charm
• Experience Golfito's allure
• Swim Bahia Potrero's calm waters
• Marvel at Arenal's majestic volcano

Starts / Ends

Puerto Caldera / Puerto Caldera

Activities

Ziplining

Activity Level

Variable

Set sail on an 8-day cruise aboard the Star Clipper through Costa Rica and Panama, exploring lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life. Highlights include Manuel Antonio, Coiba Island, and Isla Tortuga’s turquoise waters.

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from $2,313

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Panama's Parks and Beaches

9 Day Itinerary

• Visit ruins of Old Panama
• Explore the Gailard Cut
• Pass the Bridge of the Americas
• Explore mountains and rural life

Starts / Ends

Panama City / Panama City

Activities

Snorkeling, Village Visits, Wilderness Lodge Exploration

Activity Level

Relaxed

Choose a 9-day Panama National Parks and Beaches tour, and discover Old Panama ruins, iconic Canal views, lush waterfalls, and thrilling zip line adventures. Experience history, nature, and excitement in one unforgettable journey.

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from $4,330

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Barbados to Panama

Bridgetown - Balboa - 15 Day Itinerary aboard Star Clipper

• Explore Bridgetown’s heritage
• Discover St. George’s coastal views
• Admire Kralendijk’s marine life
• Wander Willemstad’s streets

Starts / Ends

Bridgetown / Balboa

Activities

Archaeological Site Visits, Local Market Visits, Small Ship Sailing

Activity Level

Variable

Set sail on a 15-day cruise with Star Clipper from Bridgetown, Barbados, exploring the Caribbean’s rich culture and history, ending in Balboa, Panama. Visit stunning destinations like Tobago Cays, Grenada, and the San Blas Islands, and experience the Panama Canal.

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from $659

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Manuel Antonio

4 Day Itinerary

Activity Level

Relaxed

This highly customizable 4-day tour takes you into the tropical jungle/ Pacific coastal region of Manuel Antonio, where you can enjoy deep sea fishing, canopy ziplining, mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, sailing tours, ATV tours, snorkeling tours or relax at the beach. You can also explore Manuel Antonio National Park each day.

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from $6,160

Save 10%

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Baja California Holiday Voyage: A Living Sea and Desert Isles

8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Venture

• Explore the islands and caves
• Search for marine animals
• Snorkel among fish and sea lions
• Visit the town of Santa Rosalia
• Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Visit Isla Rasa

Starts / Ends

Loreto / Loreto

Activities

Whale Watching, Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Activity Level

Variable

Explore the Sea of Cortez among the best places in the world to see a great variety of whales, plus dolphins in abundance. With a flexible itinerary, rely on our expert staff to follow the seasonal movements of migrating birds and feeding whales ensuring excellent wildlife sightings. Hike forests of giant cacti, snorkel with sea lions and discover rare wildlife among desert islands.

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from $1,440

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Thatch Caye Resort

5 Day Itinerary

• Explore Thatch Caye Resort
• Enjoy local cuisine of Belize
• Try unique water adventures

Starts / Ends

Thatch Caye / Thatch Caye

Activity Level

Relaxed

Discover a piece of paradise in Belize. Spend five days at Thatch Caye, a Muy'Ono private island resort with all-inclusive amenities located off the coast of Dangriga. Visitors are assured a one-of-a-kind experience away from it all. Guests can choose to stay in either overwater bungalows or island cabanas and enjoy the resort's amenities.

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from $8,119

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Yucatan Explorer

8 Day Itinerary

• Visit a Maya archaeological site
• Stroll through 'the Yellow City'
• Explore Chichen Itza & its temples
• Boat through Sian Ka'an Reserve

Activities

Biking

Activity Level

Relaxed

Enjoy 8 days in ancient Mexico, exploring several Mayan ruin sites, visiting haciendas, and touring cities in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. You'll visit staple archaeological sites like Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Tulum, Sian Ka'an, and Edzna before departing to Cancun. Take a bike tour, learn about the region's history, and relax on pristine beaches!

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from $3,622

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Taste of Puebla

4 Day Itinerary

• Take a hands on cooking class
• Enjoy meals at local restaurants
• Visit Cholula's Aztec temple

Activities

Cooking Classes

Activity Level

Relaxed

On this 4-day Mexico extension tour, learn to prepare Puebla's best delicacies and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You will tour local historical sites between meals on this culinary focused tour, including the ancient Aztec Great Pyramidal temple in Cholula.

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from $5,470

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Oaxaca Culinary Tour

8 Day Itinerary

• Cook Oaxaca traditional recipes
• Visit Teotitlan woven rug workshop
• Explore points of cultural interest
• Visit artisanal communities

Activity Level

Relaxed

Experience the best of Mexico on this 8-day Oaxaca culinary and cultural trip. Master traditional recipes alongside acclaimed local chefs like Alejandro Ruiz. Explore ancient Zapotec ruins at Monte Alban and Mitla. Visit artisan communities to see black pottery and weaving. Taste authentic Mezcal and discover the region's rich heritage.

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from $481

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Tikal Experience

3 Day Itinerary

• Hike Tikal ancient jungle ruins
• Explore Tikal’s towering pyramids
• Spot wildlife in Tikal forest
• Learn history of Mayan civilizatio

Activity Level

Relaxed

This 3-day Guatemala extension in the Petén region explores the magnificent temples of Tikal, set deep in the jungle. Discover the history of the ancient Mayan civilization with an expert archaeologist guide, and experience wildlife viewing in the biodiverse rainforest surrounding the ruins.

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from $1,020

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Nicaragua Eco Resort: Morgan's Rock

3 Day Itinerary

• Hike lush nature reserve trails
• Stay in San Juan del Sur
• Surf waves in Pacific waters

Starts / Ends

Morgan's Rock / Managua

Activities

Wildlife Viewing, Fishing, Kayaking, Hiking

Activity Level

Relaxed

Enjoy a 3-day beach extension at Morgan's Rock near San Juan del Sur. Discover surfing, hiking, ziplining, and seasonal turtle-watching tours in an eco-friendly private reserve.

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from $517

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Tikal and Yaxha

3 Day Itinerary

• Take a sunset tour of Yaxha
• Tour the pyramids of Tikal
• Explore Guatemala City

Starts / Ends

Antigua / Guatemala City

Activity Level

Relaxed

Discover Mayan history exploring the temples of Tikal and Yaxha on this 3-day tour of Guatemala's Peten region. Your guide is an expert archaeologist, so listen close as he takes you on a tour through these towering ruins. This historical itinerary makes for a great extension to any Mexico or Central America trip.

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from $971

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Chirripo Hike

3 Day Itinerary

Activity Level

Challenging

This 3-day highland tour takes you into the paramo ecosystem and to the summit of Mt. Chirripo. Each day features significant climbs in elevation, taking you through various biomes en route to the peak, but it is physically demanding, so being in good shape is paramount. Your evenings will be spent in the comfort of Pelicano Mountain Lodge.

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from $607

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Copan Ruins

3 Day Itinerary

• Explore the streets of Copan Ruinas
• Visit the sprawling Copan Ruins
• Walk cobblestone historic streets
• Spot vibrant scarlet macaws

Starts / Ends

Antigua / Antigua

Activity Level

Relaxed

Travel from Antigua Guatemala to Copán Ruinas on a 3-day trip. Explore Maya temples, plazas, and monuments with a local guide. Walk cobblestone streets, visit archeology museums, and follow nature trails where scarlet macaws thrive. This short extension is an excellent way to lengthen a Guatemala vacation.

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from $988

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Arenal Volcano

3 Day Itinerary

• Explore Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano
• Ride a scenic tram
• Observe native plants and wildlife
• Experience a canopy tour

Activity Level

Relaxed

Experience Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano on this 3-day adventure. Start with a transfer from San Jose to Arenal, where you’ll stay in bungalows with volcano views. Enjoy a rainforest tram tour spotting wildlife and panoramic views of Arenal and Lake Arenal. Finish with an exhilarating zipline descent. Return to San Jose.

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